Hi John,

New York City kids are disadvantaged by class sizes 15 to 30 percent larger than in the rest of the state — classes so large that the state’s highest court said they were denied their constitutional right to a sound basic education. Email Speaker Heastie & Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins now and ask them to support reducing class sizes with bill S.6296/A.7447.

Students who reap the most benefit from smaller classes are those from low-income households, along with students of color, those with disabilities, and English language learners. Yet nearly two decades after the CFE ruling, class sizes in New York City public schools have actually increased rather than decreased – especially in the early grades.

Right now, there is a bill in the state legislature (S.6296 / A.7447) that would update New York City’s obligation to lower class size. And this year, when the state is at last providing the city with full Foundation Aid funding, is the time to make it happen.

But with just days left to get legislative business done in Albany for the year, we need our state leaders to act NOW if this bill is going to become a reality and make a difference in students’ lives — and Speaker Heastie & Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins are standing in the way. Email Speaker Heastie & Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins now and ask them to stop stalling on the class size bill S.6296/A.7447!

In solidarity,

Jasmine Gripper
Alliance for Quality Education